Easy dumping cart

ABSTRACT

The use of a pivotal coupling on a cart of the wheelbarrow type allows for a downwardly applied pressure to the user ends of the handles to tip the bucket to at least begin the dumping action of the cart. Following the initial downward pressure with the handles still elevationally displaced downward an upward lift applied to the user ends of the handles completes the dumping action of the cart. Use of multiple pivotal axises on the cart provide for an extremely efficient operation. Various enhancements are explained including locking of the orientation of the cart following the initial dump, wheel blocking to prevent rotation of the ground support wheel relative to the bucket during at least a portion of the final dumping action and stabilization enhancement to prevent lateral tipping of the cart during the final dumping action.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/348,679 filed Jan. 22, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,886,838.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to carts capable of being manually manipulated bya person and manually dumped. More specifically, the invention relatesto such carts, which may be dumped utilizing a combination of adownwardly applied pressure on a handle assembly and an upwardly appliedpressure on the handle assembly or dumping by an upward applied pressureon the handle assembly.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Numerous types of carts exist which have a wheel or wheels, a containerand a handle assembly where the cart can be manually manipulated by aperson and manually dumped. A classic example of such a cart is awheel-barrow which typically has a single front wheel, opposing handleswhich extend from the front wheel rearward, support legs extendingdownward from the handle and a bucket fixedly attached to the top of thehandles. Millions of such carts have been produced for domestic use inthe United States. In use the wheelbarrow typically rests on the groundat the front wheel and the support legs when not being manipulated by aperson. From this position the bucket of the wheelbarrow may be loaded.When the wheelbarrow is to be moved from one position to another theperson grips the handles distal from the front wheel and raises thehandles to raise the support legs off of the ground. At this point thewheelbarrow is supported by the front wheel and the person manipulatingthe handles. When a dumping of the contents of the bucket is desired,without regard for whether the support legs are in contact with theground or elevated above the ground for movement of the wheelbarrow, theperson raises the handles to angularly tip the wheelbarrow up. Thisoperation is performed countless times each day by construction workersas well as casual users. Despite the fact that this operation isroutinely performed it remains an awkward operation to perform. Firstthe hands move upward while lifting the handles up in a pulling actionthen a transfer occurs where the person's grip on the handles shifts andthen the person applies a pushing action upward to the handles. Thisoperation is performed while balancing the weight of the wheelbarrow andthe contents of the bucket across the opposing handles while steppingtoward the wheel and on the single front wheel.

Various innovations have been made to wheelbarrow designs to make theabove dumping operation more controllable. A first class of innovationsinvolves increasing the stability of the front wheel by either providingfor a wider wheel or providing for opposing spaced adjacent wheels.Another class of innovations involves providing unique angulararrangement of at least the grip portion of the handles. Another classof innovations is known in the art for a more controllable dumping whichinvolve providing for a downward pressure to be applied to the handlesto perform the dumping procedure while the support legs remain incontact with the ground during the entire dumping procedure. Twoexamples of such designs appear in U.S. Pat. No. 1,032,009 to Long in1912 and U.S. Pat. No. 2,037,222 to Farrar in 1935. Both of thesedesigns have leg supports, which are fixedly positioned relative totheir respective front wheels.

Various deficiencies exist with the known designs for carts of thewheelbarrow type. As can be seen various attempts have been made toprovide for a more controllable dumping operation of wheelbarrows. Theseattempts have been less efficient than desired. As such, it may beappreciated that there continues to be a need for a cart design, whichprovide for performance of a dumping operation, which may be easily,safely and comfortably performed. The present invention substantiallyfulfills these needs.

SUMMARY

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types ofcarts, the present invention relates to a cart for easy dumping whichutilizes a downward pressure applied by a user. The cart has a handleassembly, a wheel assembly, a ground contacting assembly and a pivotalcoupling. The handle assembly has a user manipulation end and a distalend. The wheel assembly has a ground support wheel, which has arotational axis. The wheel assembly also has a bucket fixedly positionedrelative to the rotational axis of the ground support wheel. The groundcontacting assembly contacts the ground while the cart is in a restingorientation and provides for a leveraging when the downward pressure isapplied to the handle assembly at the user manipulation end. The pivotalcoupling provides for a pivoting of the handle assembly relative toselect portions of the cart to apply an upward pressure to the wheelassembly in close proximity to the bucket when the downward pressure isapplied to the handle assembly at the user manipulation end. The upwardpressure applied to the wheel assembly utilizes a cooperation betweenthe ground contacting assembly and the pivotal coupling where the bucketis easily dumped forward away from the user manipulation end of thehandle assembly.

It is an object of the present invention to provide for a cart which maybe dumped utilizing a combination of a downward push to the handleassembly followed by an upward lift to the handle assembly or by anupward thrust on the handle assembly to toss the load.

Other objects include;

-   -   (a) to provide for the bucket of the cart to be in a tipped        position following the initial downward push applied to the        handle assembly or a dumped position following the initial        upward thrust applied to the handle assembly.    -   (b) to provide for a reduction in stress related injuries,        including back injuries, which currently result from dumping        operations of conventional fixed frame design wheelbarrows.    -   (c) to provide for replacement of a biasing point behind a        center of balance plane of the bucket of the cart where        relatively light downward pressure is required to be applied to        the handle assembly to perform the initial dumping operation.    -   (d) to provide for an initial placement of the bucket following        the initial dumping operation which utilized the downward        pressure where relatively light upward pressure is required to        be applied to the handle assembly to perform the final dumping        operation.    -   (e) to provide for a locking device to retain the cart in a        dumping orientation while the upward pressure is applied to the        handle assembly during performance of the final dumping        operation.    -   (f) to provide for wheel rotation blocking device to prevent        rotation of the ground support wheel relative to the bucket at        least during a portion of the final dumping operation.    -   (g) to provide for the rotation axis of the ground support wheel        to move toward the ground contact portion of the ground        contacting assembly during at least a portion of the initial        dumping operation when the downward pressure is applied to the        handle assembly.    -   (h) to provide for a single pivotal axis extending laterally        across the cart to provide for the structural displacement        during the initial dumping operation when the downward pressure        is applied to the handle assembly.    -   (i) to provide for two spaced pivotal axises each extending        laterally across the cart to provide for the structural        displacement during the initial dumping operation when the        downward pressure is applied to the handle assembly.

The present invention relates to a system and method for tossing orejecting a product from a cart or wheelbarrow. When the cart is movedfrom one position to a further position, a person grips the handlesdistal from the front wheel and raises the handles which raise thesupport legs of the cart off the ground. At this point, the cart issupported by the front wheel and the person manipulating the handles.When a person wishes to dump the contents of the bucket, the person canthrust the handles up angularly tipping the cart upward. The separationof the handle assembly and the bucket assembly occurs as the bucketassembly and its contents continue to follow the direction of themomentum over the balancing axis point of the cart ending up at thefinal dumping orientation. The dumping is done without regard forwhether the support legs are in contact with the ground or elevatedabove the ground for movement of the cart.

At this dumping orientation, the leveraged locking mechanism has beenreleased and the contents have been dumped. Pulling back on the handlesbrings the wheel-bucket assembly back over the balancing axis pointbringing the wheel-bucket assembly and the handle assembly backtogether.

It is an object of the present invention to further provide a system andmethod for incline dumping of a cart or wheel-barrow at an incline, thebalancing axis point of the cart and the center of gravity are closertogether, making the wheel-bucket assembly easier for tipping. When adumping of the contents of the bucket is desired, a person can thrustthe handles up angularly, tipping the cart upward. The separation of thehandle assembly and the wheel-bucket assembly occurs as the wheel-bucketassembly and its contents continue to follow the direction of themomentum over the balancing axis point of the cart ending up at thefinal dumping orientation. The dumping is done without regard forwhether the support legs are in contact with the ground or elevatedabove the ground for movement of the cart.

At this dumping orientation, the leverage locking mechanism has beenreleased and the contents have been dumped. Pulling back on the handlesbrings the wheel-bucket back over the balancing axis point bringing thewheel-bucket assembly and the handle assembly back together.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and methodfor dumping a load from a cart by pushing down the handles of the cart.Pushing down on the handles causes a leveraging to occur in the handleassembly. The front end of the handle assembly pushes up toward the rearof the wheel-bucket assembly while pushing down and pivoting on the rearground supporting couplings. By pivoting the arm assembly up and down,this pushes down on the rear ground support couplings causing the groundsupport to rock back toward the rear which causes a pushing up on theforward ground support couplings located near the center of thewheel-bucket assembly.

The ground support assembly has a pressure bearing point of contact withthe ground close to the center of gravity of the load and a curvedbracket at the bottom that extends upward laterally toward the handles.When the curved bracket is provided a pressure bearing axis of theground contacting assembly, it typically will move along the curve backtoward the handles when the downward pressure is applied to the handleassembly at the user manipulation end. The extension of the curvedbracket keeps the handles higher off the ground which also contributesin raising the cart assembly higher at the rear.

During the initial downward pushing of the handles, the front end pivotsupward from the ground supports' rear coupling, pushing up on thelinkage coupling which connects to the cart assembly. This causes adivision between the wheel-bucket assembly and the hand assembly tooccur. The length of the linkage determines the expansion of the arc.

As the bucket tips forward after the initial pushing down on thehandles, a transferring starts to occur over the axis of the wheel. Theweight begins to become displaced. In the leveraged position, thedisplacement has made the weight lighter on the user end. The center ofgravity of the load has moved toward the axis of the wheel. Thiscombined with the downward angle of the handles make the leveragingeasier for the final dumping procedure.

The present invention relates to a system and method for lifting from adumping position. In a crouched lifting position, after the initialdownward push on the handles, a person's legs will be bent, backstraight, and arms extended downward holding the ends of the handles. Asa person's legs are stretched out to lift the heaviest part of the loadto their waist area, the weight diminishes from the load on the userside of the axis of the wheel due to the displacement of the load thatcrosses over the balancing axis point where the tipping takes place.This operation is performed while balancing the weight of the cart andthe contents of the bucket across opposing handles on the wheel orwheels having both feet stationed on the ground.

In a standing position, after the initial lifting from a crouchedposition up to a person's waist area, the leverage load weight hasdiminished substantially due to the increased displacement of the loadthat crossed over the balancing axis point of the cart making it easierfor a person's arms to lift the remaining part of the load over thebalancing axis point to a dump position.

During the final dumping action, a fulcrum transfer occurs between theaxis of ground bearing wheel and the nose of the wheel-bucket assemblywhere the displacement of the load occurs. The nose of the wheel-bucketassembly now becomes the balancing axis point for the remaining dumpingprocedure. At this dumping orientation, the leveraged locking mechanismhas been released and the contents have been dumped. Pulling back on thehandles brings the wheel-bucket assembly back over the balancing axispoint bringing the wheel-bucket assembly and the handle assembly backtogether.

It is an object of the present invention to be able to dump the contentsof the cart in any direction.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a latching assemblybetween the bucket and the handle assembly.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with thevarious features of novelty, which characterize the invention, arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention,its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses,reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptivematter in which there is illustrated the preferred embodiments of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those setforth above will become apparent when consideration is given to thefollowing detailed description thereof. Such description makes referenceto the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational side view of a cart in a resting orientation.

FIG. 2 is an elevational side view of the cart shown in FIG. 1 and in aninitial dumping orientation.

FIG. 3 is an elevational side view of the cart shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.2 and in a final dumping orientation.

FIG. 4 is an elevational side view of another embodiment of a cart andin a resting orientation.

FIG. 5 is an elevational side view of the cart shown in FIG. 4 and in aninitial dumping orientation.

FIG. 6 is an elevational side view of the cart shown in FIG. 4 and FIG.5 and in a final dumping orientation.

FIG. 7 is an elevational side view of a cart in a resting orientation.

FIG. 8 is an elevational side view of a cart in a resting orientation.

FIG. 9 is an elevational side view of the cart shown in FIG. 8 and in aninitial dumping orientation.

FIG. 10 is an elevational side view of the cart shown in FIG. 8 shown ina locked position.

FIG. 11 is an elevational side view of the cart shown in FIG. 8 with thehandle assembly lifted up.

FIG. 12 is an elevational side view of the cart shown in FIG. 8 with thecart set for dumping.

FIG. 13 is an elevational side view of the cart shown in FIG. 8 with thecart shown unlocked.

FIG. 14 is an elevational side view of the cart shown in FIG. 8 with thecart being placed back toward resting position.

FIG. 15 is an elevational side view of the cart shown in FIG. 8 with thecart being placed back toward resting position.

FIG. 16 is an elevational side view of the cart shown in FIG. 8 with thecart in a resting orientation.

DESCRIPTION

Many different carts having features of the present invention arepossible. The following description describes the preferred embodimentof select features of those carts and various combinations thereof.These features may be deployed in various combinations to arrive atvarious desired working configurations of carts.

Reference is hereafter made to the drawings where like referencenumerals refer to like parts throughout the various views.

Carts having features of the present invention provide for an easydumping of a load utilizing a downward pressure applied by a user to ahandle assembly or an upward pressure applied by a user to the handleassembly. The momentum of the load tips the hopper over the wheel axis.The carts have a handle assembly, a ground support wheel, a groundcontacting assembly and a bucket. The carts have a resting orientationwhere the cart is in a standard configuration and where loading of thecart may readily occur as conventionally known for standard carts. Thecarts have a longitudinal length aligned with a straight line of travelof the cart. The carts have a forward portion and rearward portion andopposing lateral sides. Suitable cross bracing at various positions onthe cart, as conventionally known in the art, may be utilized to enhancestructural integrity of the cart.

FIG. 1 depicts a cart 20 having a handle assembly 22, a ground supportwheel 24, a ground contacting assembly 26 and a bucket 28 and positionedin a resting orientation 30 on a ground surface 32.

A method of use provides for a user to dump a cart using the steps ofproviding a cart having features of the present invention. Thenpositioning the cart in a starting position with the bucket generallylevel and the ground contacting assembly in contact with the ground andthe ground support wheel in contact with the ground. Then applying adownward pressure to the user manipulation end of the handle assembly ofthe cart wherein the user manipulation end of the handle assembly movesdownward and the bucket pivots upward at the rearward extremity relativeto the ground contacting assembly and the bucket pivots downward at theforward extremity until the locking device locks the handle assembly inthe leveraged position relative to the ground contacting assembly. Thenapplying an upward pressure to the user manipulation end of the handleassembly of the cart wherein the bucket angularly tips up at therearward extremity to a dumping orientation by which point the lockingdevice releases the handle assembly. Then moving the user manipulationend of the handle assembly of the cart downward to return the cart tothe starting position. The handle assembly returns to the standardposition from the leveraged position. The locking device can be inseveral different arrangements including ratchet, sliding, binding andtelescopic.

FIG. 1 through FIG. 3 depicts various steps of use of cart 20. FIG. 1depicts cart 20 positioned in a starting position with bucket 28generally level and ground contacting assembly 26 and ground supportwheel 24 in contact with ground surface 32. The change depicted fromFIG. 1 to FIG. 2 depicts the change subsequent to the applying of adownward pressure to a user manipulation end 34 of handle assembly 22.User manipulation end 34 of handle assembly 22 has moved downward andbucket 28 has pivoted upward at a rearward extremity 36 relative toground contacting assembly 26. An arcing coupling 38 has locked handleassembly 22 in a leveraged position 40 relative to ground contactingassembly 26. The change depicted from FIG. 2 to FIG. 3 depicts thechange subsequent to applying an upward pressure to user manipulationend 34 of handle assembly 22. Bucket 28 has angularly tipped up atrearward extremity 36 to a final dumping orientation 42. During at leasta portion of this movement arcing coupling 38 has retained handleassembly 22 in leveraged position 40 relative to ground contactingassembly 26. The change depicted from FIG. 3 to FIG. 1 depicts thechange subsequent to moving user manipulation end 34 of handle assembly22 downward to return cart 20 to the starting position. By this pointarcing coupling 38 has released handle assembly 22 to return handleassembly 22 to a standard position 44 from leveraged position 40.

The handle assembly has a user manipulation end for manipulation by theuser and a distal end opposing the user manipulation end. The handleassembly has a standard position corresponding to the cart's restingorientation. The handle assembly may take many forms with a preferredarrangement of a pair of symmetrically disposed opposing arms positionedon opposing lateral sides of the cart.

FIG. 1 depicts handle assembly 22 having user manipulation end 34 and adistal end 46 opposing user manipulation end 34. Handle assembly 22 isdepicted in standard position 44 corresponding to resting orientation30.

The ground support wheel is in contact with the ground surface duringmuch of the use of the cart. The ground support wheel has a rotationalaxis about which it rotates. While a single ground support wheel ispreferred it is possible to provide for multiple ground support wheelsadjacently positioned and sharing a common rotational axis.

FIG. 1 depicts ground support wheel 24 in contact with ground surface32. Ground support wheel 24 has a rotational axis 48 about which it mayrotate.

The ground contacting assembly contacts the ground while the cart is inthe resting orientation and provides for leveraging means when thedownward pressure is applied to the handle assembly at the usermanipulation end. The ground contacting assembly has a ground contactportion, which makes contact with the ground surface during certainoperations of the cart. The ground contacting assembly may take manyforms but preferably will distribute the weight of the cart, and anyload positioned thereon, to, or toward, the opposing lateral sides ofthe cart while the cart is in the resting orientation, as conventionallyknown for wheelbarrow type carts. The ground contact portion preferablyhas a curvature thereon where a rolling contact with the ground surfaceoccurs during the initial dumping operation. When the curvature isprovided a pressure-bearing axis of the ground contacting assemblytypically will move along the ground contact portion when the downwardpressure is applied to the handle assembly at the user manipulation end.The extension of the bracket determines the height of the handles andthe tipping of the bucket.

In certain embodiments the ground contacting assembly takes the form ofa coupling assembly having a ground contact portion, which preferablywill also be laterally distributed across the cart. The couplingassembly spans from the forward portion of the cart having the groundsupport wheel and the bucket to the rearward portion of the cart havingthe handle assembly. The ground contacting assembly may have a firstconnection portion and a second connection portion with the firstconnection portion connected to the forward portion, the wheel assembly,and the second connection portion connected to the rearward portion, thehandle assembly. The coupling assembly may be pivotally attached to theforward portion of the cart and pivotally attached to the rearwardportion of the cart. Alternatively, the coupling assembly may bepivotally attached to either the forward portion or rearward portion andfixedly attached to the opposing portion. The ground contacting assemblymay extend from the rearward portion having the handle assembly and notcontact the forward portion of the cart.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 ground contacting assembly 26 contactsground surface 32 and provides for a leveraging action to be applied bydistal end 46 of handle assembly 22 relative to bucket 28 when thedownward pressure is applied to user manipulation end 34. Groundcontacting assembly 26 has a ground contact portion 50, which makescontact with ground surface 32. Ground contact portion 50 has acurvature 52 thereto which rolls along ground surface 32 during theinitial dumping operation as depicted from FIG. 1 to FIG. 2. Apressure-bearing axis 54 moves during the movement of ground contactingassembly 26. Ground contacting assembly 26 is a coupling assembly, whichspans from a forward portion 56 to a rearward portion 58. Forwardportion 56 has ground support wheel 24 and bucket 28 while rearwardportion 58 has handle assembly 22. Forward portion 56 is also known as awheel assembly. Ground contacting assembly 26 has a first connectionportion 60 and a second connection portion 62. First connection portion60 and second connection portion 62 are pivotally attached to forwardportion 56 and rearward portion 58 respectively.

The bucket is attached to the cart relative to the ground support wheel.Preferably the bucket is fixedly positioned on the cart relative to therotational axis of the ground support wheel. The bucket has a rearwardextremity distal from the ground support wheel and a forward extremityin closer proximity to the ground support wheel.

FIG. 1 depicts bucket 28 fixedly attached to cart 20 relative torotational axis 48 of ground support wheel 24. Bucket 28 has rearwardextremity 36 and a forward extremity 64.

It is possible to provide for the bucket to pivot from a position offsetfrom the rotational axis of the ground support wheel to provide for thebucket to contact the ground support wheel to prevent rotation thereofat select times. Preferably the forward portion of the cart forms awheel assembly having the ground support wheel and the bucket fixedlypositioned thereon.

At least one pivotal coupling provides for a pivoting of the handleassembly relative to select portions of the cart. The pivotal couplingprovides for a pivotal axis, which laterally extends across the cart.Many structural elements may be utilized to provide for such couplingswith at least two (2) laterally spaced elements preferably beingdeployed. In a most preferred embodiment two (2) such pivotal axises areprovided in spaced relationship along the longitudinal length of thecart. In these cases the coupling assembly may be provided with a firstpivotal axis connecting the coupling assembly to the forward position,the wheel assembly, and with a second pivotal axis connecting thecoupling assembly to the rearward portion, the handle assembly, toprovide for a pivoting of the handle assembly relative to the remainderof the cart.

FIG. 1 through FIG. 3 depict a pivotal coupling 66 between groundcontacting assembly 26 forward portion 56 and a pivotal coupling 68between ground contacting assembly 26 and rearward portion 58.

A biasing device provides for the handle assembly, in close proximity tothe distal end, to apply, or cause to be applied, an upward pressurerelative to the bucket when the downward pressure is applied to thehandle assembly at the user manipulation end. The leveraging providesfor the bucket to easily dump forward away from the user manipulationend of the handle assembly. The biasing device acts with the groundcontact portion of the ground contacting assembly or coupling assemblyto provide the desired leverage relative to the bucket to cause theinitial tipping of the bucket where the elevational relationship of therearward extremity of the bucket moves upward relative to the forwardextremity of the bucket. The biasing device employs many differentstructural arrangements. A sliding engagement, an arcing engagement, anda binding engagement are several structural arrangements. When a slidingengagement is utilized a track may restrict moving components to adesired path.

FIG. 1 through FIG. 3 depict handle assembly 22 applying an upwardpressure 70, see FIG. 1, relative to bucket 28 through arcing coupling38.

A locking device provides for a locking of the handle assembly relativeto the bucket in a leveraged position subsequent to the initial dumpingaction resulting from the application of the downward pressure to theuser manipulation end of the handle assembly. Many structuralarrangements may be used to provide the desired locking of the handleassembly in the elevationally displaced position. The locking deviceprovides for selectively retaining the forward portion, the wheelassembly, in a dumping orientation relative to the rearward portion, thehandle assembly, subsequent to the downward pressure being applied tothe handle assembly at the user manipulation end sufficient to displacethe forward portion, the wheel assembly, including the bucket to thedumping orientation. A locking device may be provided to lock the cartin the resting orientation if desired such as where conventional use isdesired or during transport.

FIG. 1 through FIG. 3 depict arcing coupling 38 which acts to lockhandle assembly 22 in leveraged position 40 subsequent to the initialdumping action, see change from FIG. 1 to FIG. 2. This locking allowsfor handle assembly 22 to remain in leveraged position 40 during thefinal dumping action, see change from FIG. 2 to FIG. 3.

The rotational axis of the ground support wheel has a resting spacingrelative to the ground contact portion of the ground contacting assemblyat the ground surface when the cart is in the resting orientation. Inuse carts having features of the present invention operate based on oneof two general principles. Under the first principle structures of thecart provide for the ground contacting assembly to remain at a uniformspacing relative to the rotational axis of the ground support wheelduring the initial dumping operation. Under the second principlestructures of the cart provide for the rotational axis of the groundsupport wheel to move toward the ground contacting assembly during theinitial dumping operation. In this second more preferred arrangement therotational axis of the ground support wheel has a dumping spacingrelative to the ground contact portion of the ground contacting assemblysubsequent to the downward pressure being applied to the handle assemblyat the user manipulation end with the resting spacing greater than thedumping spacing.

FIG. 1 depicts a resting spacing 72 between rotational axis 48 andpressure-bearing axis 54 of ground contact portion 50 while cart 20 isin resting orientation 30. FIG. 2 depicts a dumping spacing 74 betweenrotational axis 48 and pressure-bearing axis 54 of ground contactportion 50 while cart 20 is in an initial dumping orientation 73. It isnoted that resting spacing 72 is greater than dumping spacing 74.

The bucket has a center of balance positioned somewhere between theground support wheel and the user manipulation end of the handleassembly. The center of balance is loosely determined based upon auniform distribution of a typical load as would most likely be carriedby the respective cart. The handle assembly has a leveraging positiondistal from the user manipulation end where the leveraging position actsupon the bucket during the initial dumping operation. Preferably theleveraging position of the handle assembly acts upon the bucketrearward, or on the user manipulation end of the handle assembly, sideof the center of balance of the bucket during the applying of thedownward pressure to the user manipulation end of the handle assembly.

FIG. 1 depicts a center of balance 76 of bucket 28. Upward pressure 70is applied rearward, toward handle assembly 22, of center of balance 76.

Ground support wheel rotation blocking assembly provides for preventingrotation of the ground support wheel relative to the bucket during theapplying of the upward pressure to the user manipulation end of thehandle assembly. The application of upward pressure to the usermanipulation end of the handle assembly occurs subsequent to theapplication of the downward pressure of the initial dumping action.During the application of the upward pressure the bucket angularly tipsup at the rearward extremity to the dumping orientation. The groundsupport wheel rotation blocking assembly acts to prevent the cart fromrolling during a portion of the dumping operation. Many structures areknown in the art to provide for such blocking. The blocking may act uponsome portion of the actual wheel or may act upon the axle bearing thewheel. A separate dedicated blocking member may be employed or a pivotalcontact of the bucket with the wheel may be employed.

FIG. 1 through FIG. 3 depict a ground support wheel rotation blockingassembly 78 having a wedge portion 80 and a deployment coupling 82. Whencart is transferred from resting orientation 30, see FIG. 1, to initialdumping orientation 73, see FIG. 2, deployment coupling 82 causes apivotal displacement of wedge portion 80. Wedge portion 80 has a wheelengagement portion 84, which does not interfere with rotation of groundsupport wheel 24 when cart 20 is in resting orientation 30, see FIG. 1.When cart 20 is transferred to initial dumping orientation 73, see FIG.2, wheel engagement portion 84 engages ground support wheel 24 andprevents rotation thereof until cart 20 released from initial dumpingorientation 73 begins to return to resting orientation 30, see FIG. 1.

A stabilizing assembly may be positioned in close proximity to theground support wheel to provide for contacting the ground surface inclose proximity to the ground support wheel during some portion of thedumping procedure. Such an assembly may be employed to prevent the cartfrom rolling forward along the ground surface utilizing the groundsupport wheel and/or to laterally expand the contact area beyond thatavailable by the ground support wheel to increase stability of the cartduring the final dumping operation where the ground contacting assemblyis raised off of the ground surface. Various arrangements may beemployed including a fixed position arrangement. Preferably thestabilization assembly provides for a ground contacting portion to beelevationally displaced at least when the cart is being moved about toprevent inadvertent contact with the ground.

Wedge portion 80 of ground support wheel rotation blocking assembly 78also has a ground contact surface 86 which is deployed when cart istransferred from resting orientation 30, see FIG. 1, to initial dumpingorientation 73, see FIG. 2. Ground contact surface 86 is disposed onopposing sides of ground support wheel 24 to stabilize cart 20 duringthe final dumping operation, see change from FIG. 2 to FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 through FIG. 6 depict a cart 88 having a wheel assembly 90 and ahandle assembly 92. Wheel assembly 90 has a ground contacting assembly94 attached thereto. Wheel assembly 90 also has a bucket 96 pivotallyattached thereto. Handle assembly 92 is pivotally attached to wheelassembly 90 wherein a downward pressure on a user manipulation end 98causes a pivotal displacement of a distal end 100. When handle assembly92 is pivotally displaced, distal end 100 applies an upward pressure102, see FIG. 4, relative to bucket 96 to tip bucket 96 upward. Duringsuch displacement distal end 100 engages a slot, not shown, and locks ina leveraged position 104. While locked in leveraged position 104, bucket96 bindingly engages a ground support wheel 106 to prevent rotationthereof. Ground contacting assembly 94 has a pressure bearing axis 108relative to ground surface 32. Ground support wheel 106 has an axis ofcontact 110 relative to ground surface 32. Pressure bearing axis 108 andaxis of contact 110 have a spacing 112 which remain stable during thepivotal displacement of bucket 96, see FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. FIG. 4 depictscart 88 in a resting orientation 114. FIG. 5 depicts cart 88 in aninitial dumping orientation 116. FIG. 6 depicts cart 88 in a finaldumping orientation 118. Bucket 96 has a center of balance 120, seeFIG.4, with upward pressure 102 being applied rearward from center ofbalance 120.

FIG. 7 adds an additional bracket 51 which provides additional supportfor the cart 20.

FIG. 7 depicts a cart 20 having a handle assembly 22, a ground supportwheel 24, a ground contacting assembly 26 and a bucket 28 positioned ina resting orientation 30 on a ground surface 32.

A method of use provides for a user to dump a cart using the steps ofproviding a cart having features of the present invention. Thenpositioning the cart in a resting orientation as shown in FIG. 8, withthe bucket 28 generally level and the ground contacting assembly 26 incontact with the ground and the ground support wheel 24 in contact withthe ground. FIG. 8 shows ground bearing points 202 and 204. The load 206is in the bucket 28. The cart has a break-over point 208 and a center ofgravity for the bucket 28, 210.

FIG. 9 shows a side view of the cart shown in FIG. 8 with the cart in aninitial dumping orientation. A person applies a downward pressure 220,230 to the user manipulation end 34 of the handle assembly 22 of thecart 20 wherein the user manipulation end 34 of the handle assembly 22moves downward and the bucket 28 pivots upward at the rearward extremityrelative to the ground contacting assembly 26 and the bucket 28 pivotsdownward at the forward extremity until the locking device 223 locks thehandle assembly 22 in the leveraged position relative to the groundcontacting assembly 26. FIG. 9 shows the original center of gravity 210,which has now shifted to position 222. Load 206 has shifted forward inthe bucket 28. Ground bearing points 204 and 202 have also shifted.Arrow 224 shows how the cart rocks back during this step. Arrow 226shows how the cart rolls back during this step. Arrow 228 shows how thecart is pushed up. FIG. 10 shows that the locking device 223 has nowlocked.

As shown in FIG. 11, the user then applies an upward pressure 240 to theuser manipulation end 34 of the handle assembly 22 of the cart 20wherein the bucket 28 angularly tips up at the rearward extremity to adumping orientation. FIG. 11 shows the center of gravity point 242 andthe break-over point 244. The weight of the load 206 then assists inpulling down the bucket 28. FIG. 12 shows the cart 20 set for dumping.The cart has a new ground breaking point 246.

FIGS. 13-16 show the user moving 250 the user manipulation end 34 of thehandle assembly 22 of the cart 20 downward to return the cart 20 to thestarting position by which point the locking device 223 releases thehandle assembly 22 to return the handle assembly 22 to the standardposition from the leveraged position. FIGS. 14-16 show the break overpoint 244 and the center of gravity point 242 moving as the cart 20 ismoved back to its starting orientation.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized thatthe optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, toinclude variations in size, material, shape, form, function and mannerof operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obviousto one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to thoseillustrated in the drawings and described in the specification areintended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

1. A method for a user to dump a cart comprising the steps of: a) positioning said cart in a starting position with a bucket generally level and a ground contacting assembly and ground support wheel in contact with the ground; b) applying a downward pressure to a user manipulation end of a handle assembly of said cart; c) moving downwardly said user manipulation end of said handle assembly; d) pivoting said bucket upward at a rearward extremity relative to said ground contacting assembly; e) locking said handle assembly in a leveraged position relative to said ground contacting assembly; f) applying an upward pressure to said user manipulation end of said handle assembly of said cart; g) tipping said bucket up at said rearward extremity to a dumping orientation; h) unlocking said handle assembly; i) moving said user manipulation end of said handle assembly of said cart downward; j) returning said cart to said starting position k) returning said handle assembly to a standard position from said leveraged position.
 2. The method defined in claim 1 wherein during said applying of said downward pressure to said user manipulation end of said handle assembly said ground support wheel and said ground contacting assembly remain at a uniform spacing.
 3. The method defined in claim 1 wherein during said applying of said downward pressure to said user manipulation end of said handle assembly said ground support wheel moves toward said ground contacting assembly.
 4. The method defined in claim 1 wherein said bucket further comprises a center of balance between said ground support wheel and said user manipulation end of said handle assembly and wherein said handle assembly further comprises a leveraging position distal from said user manipulation end and wherein said leveraging position of said handle assembly acts upon said bucket on said user manipulation end of said handle assembly side of said center of balance of said bucket during said applying of said downward pressure to said user manipulation end of said handle assembly.
 5. The method defined in claim 1 wherein said cart further comprises ground support wheel rotation blocking device for preventing rotation of said ground support wheel relative to said bucket during said applying of said upward pressure to said user manipulation end of said handle assembly while said bucket angularly tips up at said rearward extremity to said dumping orientation.
 6. The method of claim 1 further comprising: ejecting contents of said cart away from said cart.
 7. A method for dumping a cart comprising: positioning said cart in a resting orientation with a bucket generally level and a ground contacting assembly and ground support wheel in contact with the ground; applying a downward pressure to a user manipulation end of a handle assembly of said cart; moving said user manipulation end of said handle assembly downward; pivoting upward said bucket at a rearward extremity relative to said ground contacting assembly; pivoting downward said bucket at a forward extremity until a locking device locks said handle assembly in a leveraged position relative to said ground contacting assembly; applying an upward pressure to said user manipulation end of said handle assembly of said cart; tipping said rearward extremity of said bucket to a dumping orientation; moving said user manipulation end of said handle assembly of said cart downward to return said cart to a starting position by which point said locking device releases said handle assembly to return said handle assembly to a standard position from said leveraged position. 